Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma during pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare phenomenon that has no distinct etiology. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) during pregnancy is extremely rare. We present what we believe to be the fifth reported case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma associated with pregnancy in the English literature. METHODS: A 31-year-old female presented with acute onset of paraplegia at 32 weeks of pregnancy. The patient had a T2 sensory level and complete paralysis of all lower extremity motor groups. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed an acute epidural hematoma posterior to the thoracic spinal cord between the second and fourth thoracic vertebrae. RESULTS: The patient was taken to the operating room were her child was delivered by caesarean section. She then underwent a posterior laminectomy and evacuation of a spinal epidural hematoma. Follow-up selective spinal angiography was negative for any vascular malformation. The patient gradually recovered lower extremity function and was independently ambulating at six month follow-up. Voluntary bowel and bladder function returned within four months but twice daily intermittent catheterization remained necessary for excessive post-void residual urine. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in pregnancy is a rare phenomenon. It is postulated that elevated venous pressure associated with pregnancy may be a contributing factor. In the reported cases of SSEH in pregnancy most patients presented with acute symptoms, thoracic location and profound neurological deficits but, with prompt surgical treatment, generally had good long term recovery.     

Serial CT Findings of a Rapidly Calcified Epidural Hematoma in a Young Adult: A Case Report

We report serial computed tomography (CT) findings in a rare case of a rapidly calcified epidural hematoma. A 21‐year‐old female patient was admitted to our hospital after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. An initial cranial CT revealed a right frontal bone fracture. She complained of right frontal headache, but showed no neurological deficit or tendency for bleeding. Therefore, she was treated conservatively without surgical intervention. Follow‐up CT revealed an ossified epidural hematoma (EDH) 17 days after the head injury, and the ossification later thickened. However, a decrease in the width of the EDH was observed during the 9 months of follow‐up during which serial CT images were acquired. The EDH resolved 9 months after the initial trauma, but the calcification layer remained thickened.     

An atypical case of head trauma with late onset of contrecoup epidural hematoma,cerebellar contusion,and cerebral infarction in the territory of the recurrent artery of Heubner

We encountered a case of head trauma with very unusual delayed events. A 68-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital after receiving a direct impact to her occiput in a traffic accident. Head CT scans showed a thin acute epidural hematoma in the posterior fossa corresponding to a linear fracture, followed by late onset of contrecoup left frontal epidural hematoma and subsequent cerebellar contusion in the right cerebellar hemisphere. Fifteen days after the trauma, the patient developed mild motor weakness of right upper extremity. MRIs demonstrated an infarct in the territory of the left recurrent artery of Heubner. Although rare, atypical late events in patients with head trauma as reported here should be taken into consideration during subacute follow-up periods.     

Epidural hematoma revealed by exophthalmia,two cases reports

Epidural or extradural hematoma is a well known entity, usually a complication of severe traumatic head injury. The clinical presentation is most commonly a decline in consciousness and new neurological deficits. Fewer than 20% of patients demonstrate the classic presentation of a lucid interval between the initial trauma and subsequent neurological deterioration. The association of an epidural hematoma with a subperiostal intraorbital hematoma is rare, where exophthalmia is the only presenting sign. We report on two cases of frontal epidural hematoma revealed by an exophthalmia after a minor head trauma. On reporting our cases we aim to increase the awareness of this association each time a head or facial trauma is associated with exophthalmia.     

Spinal angiolipoma in a pregnant woman presenting with acute epidural hemorrhage

A 26-year-old woman in week 31 of pregnancy presented to the emergency room with acute onset of paraplegia. Her medical history was unremarkable. Neurological examination revealed complete paraplegia, total sensory loss below the T7 dermatome, and significant vesicorectal dysfunction. MRI revealed an intraspinal mass from T3 to T4, which was hyperintense on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Blood examination found no abnormality. She underwent emergent hemilaminectomy and removal of the hematoma. Intraoperatively, unusually ectatic venous vessels were found adhered to the lower surface of the epidural clot. No concurrent vascular malformations were identified and the dura mater was intact. The histological diagnosis was angiolipoma. Postoperatively her neurological deficits showed remarkable improvement, and she gave birth to a healthy baby. Spinal angiolipoma in a pregnant woman may be complicated with acute epidural hemorrhage. Emergent surgical evacuation can be performed safely with a good functional prognosis.     

Lumbar epidural hematoma following lumbar puncture: the role of high dose LMWH and late surgery. A case report

Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a known complication of spinal surgery, but the incidence of post-surgical SEHs that result in neurologic deficits is extremely rare (0.1%). Patients that require multilevel lumbar procedures and/or have a preoperative coagulopathy are at a significantly higher risk of developing an epidural hematoma. The introduction of higher dose of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) twice daily 30 mg regimen) increased the reported incidence of neuroaxial hematomas. Surgery performed within 8 hours makes good or partial recovery of neurologic function. Our patient was also started on higher dose of LMWH and developed neurological deficits due to a SEH following lumbar puncture. She underwent operation after six days and she had a mild recovery following the operation. Current administration of high doses of LMWH can cause SEH even after a lumbar puncture, which was performed without multiple attempts. Although surgery performed within 8 hours makes good or partial recovery of neurologic function, laminectomy and epidural hematoma evacuation performed after three days can also have successful results.     

Cerebral infarction in the caudate nucleus associated with acute epidural hematoma and diffuse brain injury in a child after severe head injury

Case report A 6-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital 20 min after receiving a direct impact to his head in an automobile accident. He was semi-comatose on admission and computed tomography showed acute epidural hematoma in the right supratentorial region. Three hours later, his consciousness deteriorated due to the enlargement of the hematoma. Surgical removal of hematoma relieved his consciousness disturbance. Post-operative magnetic resonance imaging revealed spotty high-intensity lesions in the corpus callosum on T2-weighted images, and a solitary high-intensity lesion in the left caudate nucleus extending to the medial globus pallidum on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images. Magnetic resonance angiography showed no abnormality in the main arteries. These results suggested cerebral infarction in the vascular territory supplied by the recurrent artery of Heubner in association with diffuse brain injury. Post-operative course was uneventful and he was discharged without neurological deficit.Conclusions Post-traumatic cerebral infarction in the caudate nucleus is extremely rare, and its association with diffuse brain injury and epidural hematoma is apparently unique.     

Spinal Epidural Hematoma after Pain Control Procedure

Spinal epidural hematoma is a rare complication associated with pain control procedures such as facet block, acupuncture, epidural injection, etc. Although it is an uncommon cause of acute myelopathy, and it may require surgical evacuation. We report four patients with epidural hematoma developed after pain control procedures. Two procedures were facet joint blocks and the others were epidural blocks. Pain was the predominant initial symptom in these patients while two patients presented with post-procedural neurological deficits. Surgical evacuation of the hematoma was performed in two patients while in remaining two patients, surgery was initially recommended but not performed since symptoms were progressively improved. Three patients showed near complete recovery except for one patient who recovered with residual deficits. Although, spinal epidural hematoma is a rare condition, it can lead to serious complications like spinal cord compression. Therefore, it is important to be cautious while performing spinal pain control procedure to avoid such complications. Surgical treatment is an effective option to resolve the spinal epidural hematoma.     

Transient hemiparesis caused by spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma

Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma (SCEH) is rare and can result in various clinical phenotypes. Transient focal neurological symptoms, which have not yet been reported on, can result in overlooking this differential diagnosis in patients presenting with passing neurological deficits and assuming the diagnosis of a transient ischemic attack. Therefore, a thorough documentation of patient history is of importance, since this can reveal symptoms suggestive of a different etiology. Here, we present a case of a 66-year-old female who was admitted with a hemiparesis without cortical or cranial neurological abnormalities. When asked for preceding symptoms like headache or neck ache she mentioned interscapular pain. Imaging of the cervical spine showed an epidural hematoma. Symptoms resolved spontaneously over 24?h without surgical intervention. Our case illustrates the variation in the clinical presentation of SCEH which can result in transient symptoms, even without surgical intervention. Therefore, in patients with transient focal neurological deficits this diagnosis should be included in the differential, particularly when cortical and cranial signs are lacking.     

Epidural Hematoma Producing Brown-Sequard Syndrome: A Case Due to Ruptured Hemangioma with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

A man developed spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma secondary to ruptured hemangioma with a clinical picture resembling acute partial Brown-Sequard syndrome. Diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allowed prompt surgical decompression and complete reversal of the neurological deficits. The diagnosis, etiology, and MRI findings of spinal epidural hematomas are discussed.     

Traumatic retroclival epidural hematoma—a pediatric entity?

Background Traumatic retroclival epidural hematoma is very rare and only a few cases are described in literature. All previous cases occurred in the pediatric population and were classically seen in pedestrians or cyclists hit by speeding motor vehicles. It is probable that horizontal articulation between the cranium and the atlas and ligamentous laxity at the craniocervical junction in this age group predispose them to ligamentous injury at the craniospinal junction and formation of retroclival hematoma. MRI or three-dimensional reconstructed CT is considered essential for diagnosing this condition. Conservative treatment is an option if neurological deficits are mild and brainstem compression is not significant. Bony fixation is, however, required if there is suspicion of instability.Case Report The authors describe the case of an 8-year-old girl who developed traumatic retroclival epidural hematoma after a motor vehicle accident and who was managed conservatively with good recovery.Conclusion This case and the review of literature suggest that retroclival epidural hematoma is a pediatric entity usually associated with ligamental injury at the craniocervical junction.     

Case report of spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma in elderly]

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas (SSEH) are relatively rare clinical entities and associated with coagulopathies, tumors, or vascular malformation. In addition, these are often neurosurgical emergencies; therefore, prompt diagnosis and treatment are paramount. We reported a case of an 87-year-old woman with spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma. She presented with the sudden onset of neck pain, rt. upper arm sensory disturbance and rt. hemiparesis. MRI revealed a C3-Th1 dorsally placed extradural lesion. The lesion was iso-to hypointense on T1-weighted images and was hyperintense on T2-weighted images. She underwent surgery within 9 hours after symptom onset, removal of hematoma through the right hemilaminectomy was performed. She was a very high age, but she was discharged from the hospital without neurological deficit. To obtain good prognosis for patients with SSEH, early diagnosis and treatment are important. We also review the current literature concerning diagnosis and treatment of SSEH.     

Chronic epidural hematoma with rapid ossification

CASE REPORT: The authors present a rare case of ossified chronic epidural hematoma. A 13-year-old female patient presented with an ossified chronic epidural hematoma. She had sustained a head injury about 10 weeks previously and had received conservative care for a delayed-onset epidural hematoma at a local hospital. Ossification was identified about 4 weeks after the head injury and then progressed rapidly. A chronic epidural hematoma with a thick collagenous capsule and newly formed bone was removed 73 days after the head injury. CONCLUSION: An epidural hematoma with mild symptoms can be treated conservatively. When, however, the hematoma is observed not to be naturally absorbed during serial follow-up examinations, surgical removal must be considered, even if the patient's condition is good, because this entity carries the risk of bone calcification and ossification.     

自发性硬脊膜外血肿的诊断和治疗策略

目的探讨自发性硬脊膜外血肿的临床特征、治疗及影响预后的因素。方法对16例自发性硬脊膜外血肿患者的临床特征、手术治疗时机以及手术后神经功能恢复情况进行回顾总结,并结合文献分析影响预后的因素。所有自发性硬脊膜外血肿患者均行MRI检查。结果16例患者的硬脊膜外血肿分别位于下颈段（2例）、颈胸段（6例）、胸段（7例）及胸腰段（1例）。MRI检查T1WI表现为等信号或略高信号,T2WI以高信号为主,其中可见混杂低信号。12例施行手术治疗的患者中10例预后良好;4例保守治疗者中3例神经功能完全恢复。结论脊髓MRI检查是诊断自发性硬脊膜外血肿的首选方法,早期诊断和外科手术治疗是恢复神经功能、提高疗效的关键。手术疗效主要与自发性硬脊膜外血肿患者手术前的神经功能缺损程度和手术间隔时间有关;症状较轻者在密切观察下可予以保守治疗,其神经功能的恢复主要取决于神经功能缺损程度。目的探讨自发性硬脊膜外血肿的临床特征、治疗及影响预后的因素。方法对16例自发性硬脊膜外血肿患者的临床特征、手术治疗时机以及手术后神经功能恢复情况进行回顾总结,并结合文献分析影响预后的因素。所有自发性硬脊膜外血肿患者均行MRI检查。结果16例患者的硬脊膜外血肿分别位于下颈段（2例）、颈胸段（6例）、胸段（7例）及胸腰段（1例）。MRI检查T1WI表现为等信号或略高信号,T2WI以高信号为主,其中可见混杂低信号。12例施行手术治疗的患者中10例预后良好;4例保守治疗者中3例神经功能完全恢复。结论脊髓MRI检查是诊断自发性硬脊膜外血肿的首选方法,早期诊断和外科手术治疗是恢复神经功能、提高疗效的关键。手术疗效主要与自发性硬脊膜外血肿患者手术前的神经功能缺损程度和手术间隔时间有关;症状较轻者在密切观察下可予以保守治疗,其神经功能的恢复主要取决于神经功能缺损程度。     

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: a case report and review of the literatures

Purpose: To emphasize the importance of early recognition and emergent surgery for spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH). Case Report: A 61-year-old female presented with sudden onset of severe neck and back pain after finishing worshiping Buddha followed by quadriparesis, sensory deficits below C4 level and sphincter dysfunction. MR imaging demonstrated acute extensive epidural hematoma of cervico-thoracic spinal segments (C2-T7). Idiopathic SSEH was diagnosed and emergent decompressive laminectomy with hematoma evacuation was performed within 12 hours of symptoms onset. Good functional and neurological outcomes were obtained. Conclusion: SSEH is a rare but disabling or even fatal entity. Early diagnosis and prompt surgery improve the neurological and functional outcome but still remain a clinical challenge. Relevant physicians should pay attention to the typical symptoms of the rare entity and SSEH should be one of differential diagnoses.     

硬膜外血肿增大的回顾性分析

目的 研究硬膜外血肿增大的临床规律.方法 回顾性地总结硬膜外血肿增大的发生率、对病情变化及近期疗效的影响,分析硬膜外血肿增大的预测因素.结果 24例(20 3%)患者发生血肿增大.血肿增大的患者病情加重及最终需要手术治疗的比例均明显高于无血肿增大的患者,两组患者出院时的治疗结果差异无统计学意义.血肿增大患者受伤到首次CT检查的时间、首次CT血肿量、入院时的血凝检查结果异常及饮酒嗜好者的比例均与无血肿增大患者存在明显差异.结论 急性硬膜外血肿增大的发生率较高,血肿增大对患者病情可造成不利影响,但不影响近期疗效,血肿增大预测因素有受伤到首次CT检查的时间、首次CT血肿量、血凝检查结果异常及饮酒嗜好.

Abstract：

Objective To study the clinical issues of progressive epidural hematoma ( PEDH ) .Method The incidence, impacts on clinical course and short-term outcomes and predictors of PEDH were retrospectively studied.Results PEDH occurred in 20.3% of the patients.The rates of neurological deterioration and surgical treatment due to the deterioration in patients with PEDH were significantly higher than those in patients without PEDH.There was not a significantly difference in short-term outcome between patients with and without PEDH.There was a significantly difference in the timing from injury to first CT scanning,volume of the hematoma on the first CT,rate of other intracranial injuries, hypocoagulability and heavy alcohol consumption between patients with and without PEDH.Conclusions The incidence of PEDH is 20.3% or more.PEDH is associated with neurological deterioration.But there is not a association between hematoma growth and poor clinical outcome.The time interval between injury and first CT scanning, volume of the hematoma on the first CT, hypocoagulability, heavy alcohol consumption appear to be independent predictors of hematoma growth.     

Late onset of spinal epidural abscess after spinal epidural catheterization]

A 76-year-old diabetic woman received epidural catheterization for sigmoid colectomy. Four months later she started to complain of fever and severe lumbago, and finally fell into coma and tetraplegia. She had severe neck stiffness, and lumbar puncture yielded yellowish pus. Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in a culture of the epidural pus and blood as a causative organism. Magnetic resonance imaging showed extensive abscess in the posterior epidural space at the level between Th1 and L5. We diagnosed her disease as iatrogenic spinal epidural abscess due to epidural catheterization. After emergent laminectomy and evacuation of abscess, inflammation was gradually improved. She returned to normal except for slight gait disturbance. Spinal epidural abscess often develops rapidly after Staphyloccocus aureus infection. In our case, however, neurological deficits appeared 144 days after insertion of epidural catheter. We must remember that spinal epidural abscess is an important cause of lumbago with high fever, even several months after surgical or catheterial intervention to the spine, for immunocompromised patients with diabetes or neoplasm.     

Rapidly Calcified Epidural Hematoma in a Neonate

We report a very rare case of a rapidly calcified chronic epidural hematoma (EDH) in a neonate. A 26-day-old female infant was referred to us from a regional hospital because of drowsy mentality and a seizure attack. She was delivered through caesarian section because normal spontaneous vaginal delivery was prolonged and failed. At birth, mild scalp swelling was found on the right frontal area. Scalp swelling was spontaneously resolved and she was discharged without any problems. On the 25th day after her birth, the baby presented with drowsiness and hypotonia following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a chronic EDH that had a thick layer of calcification. A small burr-hole trephination was performed and a single silastic drainage catheter was inserted. After the operation, a total of 12 ml of liquefied hematoma was drained, and the patient''s mentality improved from drowsiness to alertness. The patient was asymptomatic when discharged.     

Transient Brown-Séquard syndrome due to spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma

Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a low incidence injury. When the cause of bleeding is unknown, which occurs in 50% of the cases, we refer to it as spontaneous SEH. The clinical presentation is characterized by acute radicular pain followed by cord compression syndrome. Brown-Séquard syndrome is exceptional as a result of a SEH. Although standard treatment is prompt surgical evacuation of the hematoma, spontaneous resolution has also been reported. We present a case of spontaneous SEH in a 69 year-old man. An MRI revealed an hematoma in the right posterior epidural space extending from C6 to T2. The hematoma was manifested as a paresis of the right limbs and sensory loss of the left side below C7 level. During the first hours the neurological deficit was improved without treatment and consequently a conservative management was continued. After 72 h, the patient was completely recovered. We have reviewed the 14 cases of spinal epidural hematoma and Brown- Séquard syndrome previously reported, only 2 of them were resolved by conservative management. We conclude that when SEH presents as Brown-Séquard syndrome it usually has a more benign course and that in some cases a conservative management can be considered.     

Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a relatively rare but significant spinal condition. Urgent surgical evacuation of a hematoma is generally indicated to prevent serious permanent neurological deficits. We encountered three cases of spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas associated with motor weakness that were treated successfully by surgical intervention.